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Public Safety Bachelor of Applied Science

Learn More & Apply

Public Safety B.A.S. Admission Requirements

Thank you for your interest in applying to the Public Safety B.A.S. program.

To apply, you must have completed a relevant associate degree with a minimum 60 credits from a regionally accredited institution, with 45 credits directly related to public safety. 

Relevant degrees include, but are not limited to: 


How to Get Started

Following are instructions for applying to the Aims Public Safety B.A.S. program. 

Step 1: Apply to Aims as a Student.

apply

If you have not been a student at Aims in the last 12 months, you must apply to Aims and submit the details below. 

  1. Apply to Aims Community College - It takes about 15 minutes and is free.
  2. Items you will need:
    1. High School attendance dates
    2. High School graduation status/date
    3. Any additional education dates
  1. Create a username and password
  2. Verify your email address
  3. Sign in and complete the application process
  4. Selections for the Public Safety B.A.S. degree:
    • Pathway: Health Careers, Criminal Justice and Public Safety Pathway
    • Program of Study: Pre-Public Safety B.A.S. Pre-Major
  5. Once approved, you will receive a Welcome to Aims email.
  6. Your Enrollment Coach can help you understand these requirements and guide you through the application process.
    1. Schedule an appointment with an Enrollment Coach.
  7. Apply for Financial Aid if applicable.

Step 2: Are You a Transfer Student or a Veteran?

transfer-veteran
If not, go to Step 3 below.

Transfer Students

If you are a transfer student, please have your previous institution send an official transcript to Aims by email at records@aims.edu or mail to:

Registration & Records
PO Box 69
Greeley, CO 80632

Learn more on the Transfer Information webpage.

Note: If your A.A. or A.A.S. degree is from another institution, official transcripts are required to be considered for the Public Safety B.A.S. program.

Veteran Students

If you are a Veteran student, submit your DD214 and Certificate of Eligibility to the Aims Financial Aid Office.


Step 3: Apply to the Public Safety B.A.S. Program

apply-bas

You will need the following: 

  1. Your Aims Student ID Number 
    • Note: if you have not been enrolled at Aims in the last 12 months, you will need to reapply as a current student - see Step 1.
  2. An official transcript for your AA/AAS degree if you received it from an institution other than Aims.
  3. Your current resume showing current employment in a public safety related field.

Questions? Please contact public.safety.bas@aims.edu.

Important application deadline information

Space in the Aims Public Safety B.A.S. degree program is limited. Applications are accepted on a first come, first served basis and are based on available space. To secure your spot, make sure to apply as early as possible.

The application deadlines for each semester are as follows:

  • Fall Term: No later than the second Friday in July
  • Spring Term: Last Monday of November
  • Summer Term: Last Monday of March
     

Step 4: Application Review

review
  • The B.A.S. program director will review your qualifications for the program.
  • If you have provided all the required materials, you will receive an email with next steps in approximately 10 business days.

Step 5: Pathway Advising

advising

After receiving an acceptance email from the department, contact the Windsor Pathway Advising Department at (970) 339-6610, Option 2 to schedule an academic advising appointment with a Pathway Advisor who will help you with course registration.


Frequently Asked Questions

faq

There are BAS program-specific courses offered every semester: spring, summer and fall. You can start anytime.

If you have an A.A. or A.A.S. degree in Public Safety or a non-public safety A.A. or A.A.S. degree with four years of experience in a public safety role, you can apply via the website with your resumé. 

Class size is limited. If classes are full, qualified applicants will be prioritized based on when you applied and your qualifications.

  • Fall Term: No later than the second Friday in July
  • Spring Term: Last Monday of November
  • Summer Term: Last Monday of March

Class size and availability is limited. You are encouraged to apply before the deadline to ensure that your application is processed and you have enough time to complete any pre-registration obligations before the start of classes. 

If the class roster is full, qualified candidates will be added to a priority waitlist and notified of class openings.

Public Safety B.A.S. Program Prerequisites

An associate degree is a prerequisite for admission into the Public Safety B.A.S. program. If you have an associate degree in a public safety-related field from either Aims of another accredited college, you can apply to the program. If you have an associate degree in a field unrelated to public safety, you can only apply to the program if you can provide documentation of having at least four years of experience in public safety.

Application Category Groups

Applicants to the Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Public Safety must fall into one of the two category groups listed below. 

Students will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis according to available space in the program.

Students who do not fall into one of the two required category groups will need to enroll and complete a public safety-related associate degree program to become eligible for the B.A.S. degree program. The associate degree will count as 60 credits toward the B.A.S. degree.

Application Category Group 1:

Graduates of an accredited institution from one of the following associate degree programs:

  1. Criminal Justice, A.A.S. or A.A.
  2. Emergency Medical Services, A.A.S.
  3. Fire Science Technology, A.A.S.
  4. Paramedic, A.A.S.
  5. Police Studies, A.A.S.
  6. Other Public Safety or Emergency Services Field, A.A.S or A.A.

Application Category Group 2:

Graduates with an A.A. or A.A.S. degree unrelated to public safety who have 4 or more years of public safety experience. If you are a transfer student, see the instructions in Step 2 above.

An associate degree is a prerequisite for the B.A.S. program. If you are an Aims student, and enrolled in a public safety-related degree program,  you will be eligible to apply for the B.A.S. program in your final semester before graduating from your A.A.S. program.

If you are enrolled in a degree program that is not public safety-related, you will need four years of experience in a public safety-related field in addition to the A.A.S. degree. If you meet this prerequisite, you may apply in the final semester before graduation.

If you are in your final semester of a public safety-related A.A. or A.A.S. degree, you may apply to the B.A.S. program.

If you are not a current student at Aims, you will need to apply to Aims and follow the admissions process outlined above, starting with Step 1.

  • After you apply to Aims as a student and apply to the B.A.S. supplying all the required documentation: 
    • Official transcripts
    • Resume
  • You will receive an email confirming your admission as an Aims student.
  • You will also receive an email confirming receipt of your application into the Public Safety B.A.S. program.
  • Your documents will be reviewed for compliance with the program requirements.
  • If your qualifications meet the program requirements, you will receive a follow-up email welcoming you to the B.A.S. program. Next, follow Step 5 above to contact an Aims Pathway Advisor about class enrollment.
  • If you are qualified for the program, but the current roster is full, you will be put on a priority wait list and notified when program openings are available.
  • If your qualifications do not meet the requirements, you will be contacted with information about the next steps to become qualified for the program.

  • If the program is at capacity and you are qualified for the program, you will be added to a priority waiting list.
  • If your experience or degree do not meet the program requirements, you can reapply with current credentials for reevaluation in the program.

The program is eligible for financial assistance. Please contact Financial Aid to help you determine whether you qualify for financial assistance.
 

Assuming you have an associate degree, the cost for 60 credit hours at Aims, including general education and core public safety curriculum is as follows:

  • In district total = $5,620.00
  • In State = $8,500.00
  • WUE - $12,400.00
  • Out of State = $29,440

Many of the B.A.S. core classes are 3 credit hours each and run for eight weeks. The estimated cost per three-hour course is:

  • In District = $301.00
  • In State = $445.00
  • WUE - $640.00
  • Out of State = $1492.00

Keep in mind that these numbers are approximate and subject to change, and administrative fees may apply. 

See the Cashier’s Office page for current tuition and fees. 

The Aims Public Safety B.A.S. program requires 120 semester hours to complete. 

The first 60 of those hours are earned as an associate degree that meets one of the following criteria:

  1. An associate degree from Aims in one of the following subjects: Criminal justice (A.A.S. or A.A.), Emergency Medical Services (A.A.S.), Fire Science Technology (A.A.S.), Paramedic (A.A.S.) or Police Studies (A.A.S.).
  2. A public safety related associate degree (A.A. or A.A.S.) from an accredited school other than Aims.
  3. An unrelated discipline along with four years of field experience in the public safety field.

The final 60 hours required to complete a Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Safety are earned at Aims entirely online.

The Aims Public Safety B.A.S. team will evaluate your transcript based on conformance with program criteria.

You will receive an email with the results of this evaluation with next steps to become enrolled in the program if you are accepted, or instructions on how to reapply.

Aims has a process for assessing credit for prior learning. After admission into the program, prior learning credits are evaluated.

We encourage students to seek PLA credit for any on-the-job or outside education obtained. Students provide documentation for any courses or training showing learning outcomes or syllabi, and we evaluate how the course(s) meet our learning outcomes.

The 3,000- and 4,000-level courses required to complete the Aims B.A.S. in Public Safety program are held entirely online. Some general education courses are available with either online or in-person options.

If you are new to online learning, you can get help via these resources:

Aims Remote Learning Services

Contact Online Learning Specialist Marina Rodriguez at marina.rodriguez@aims.edu or 970-821-9961.

MyAims: How to Take Classes Online

Designed with busy professionals in mind, classes are taught online and many of the courses are eight weeks long, allowing you to manage your coursework in addition to your other responsibilities.

If you are new to online learning, you can get help via these resources:

Aims Remote Learning Services

Contact Online Learning Specialist Marina Rodriguez at marina.rodriguez@aims.edu or 970-821-9961.

MyAims: How to Take Classes Online

 

You can find textbook information for each semester at the Aims Bookstore

  • Course Materials Concierge
  • Search Now
  • for Department, select ESA

As an Aims student, you have access to multiple services and amenities, including:

  • Tutoring
  • Counseling services
  • Advising
  • Career services
  • The PERC
  • Library services, including computer, tablet, and hotspot rental
  • Free parking on campus
  • And more
     

As part of your application process, you will create a MyAims account. For assistance setting up your myAims account or Aims student email address, contact helpdesk@aims.edu or 970.339.6380.

Email questions to public.safety.BAS@aims.edu